Puno is the main site of the Tiahuanaco culture (800 to 1 200 A.D.), the highest expression of the Aymara people which can be encountered in Peru as well as in Bolivia. The Incas imposed themselves in this territory in the 15th century and the Spaniards, attracted by the mining industry, also left an important colonial heritage.

Located at an altitude of 3 810 meters high, the Titicaca lake is the highest navigable lake in the world. It also reaches a maximal deepness of 280 meters, allowing all kings of embarcations to navigate on its waters. Puno also counts on the presence of various islands. One of thos is the island of Taquile which is characterized by the unique way of living of its inhabitants which is based on the moral code of the incas. Another of these islands, Uros, which habitants are known as Kot-Suña (the people of the lake) which means who cannot drown and doesn’t feel the cold.

The Titicaca lake and the floating islands are the main touristic attractions in the department of Puno. The beautiful sceneries and the fascinating lives of their inhabitants make it worth to visit the islands of Uros, Taquile and Amantani. The Titicaca lake is the highest navigable lake in the world. It includes 36 islands. The most important ones are Taquile, Amantani, Soto, Anapia and Uros. You will also be able to observe, around a lagoon, a complex of funerary towers know as the Chullpas de Sillustani. They used to be tombs for the Aymara’s nobles.